For anyone who wants to see the delights of Tuscany in a week, this is your itinerary. An essential list of what to see and where to go for the time-starved traveller. Follow our lead for all the must-see highlights and picturesque towns, and you won’t go home disappointed.
=> Best of Tuscany at a glance!
Tuscany in a week: The ultimate itinerary
As a general rule, we don’t like packed itineraries. If you’re only in Tuscany for a week, it’s probably better to choose fewer sights, take your time and enjoy the atmosphere. But if you want to see the best the region has to offer and you only have 7 days, this itinerary is for you.
3 days in Florence – See the city of the Renaissance
Florence is the natural place to start a Tuscan trip. And in our opinion it takes three days to see it properly. This way you’ll be able to enjoy at least one of the main Museums (the must-see Uffizi Gallery and/or the “David” at the Accademia). And fit in a climb up to the Cathedral’s Dome.
The historical centre is compact enough to be explored on foot. You can combine it with a visit to the Church of Santa Croce, or S.M. Novella that’s wall-to-wall with frescoes, or see one of the city’s many other attractions. For the best view ever, head to Piazzale Michelangelo. For more detailed itineraries in Florence, see our article “Florence in 3 days“.
1 day in Pisa – The Leaning Tower
From Florence you can easily reach Pisa in an hour by train or car. The must-see highlight here is the Piazza dei Miracoli with the iconic Leaning Tower. In the evening head back to Florence for another amazing sunset on the Ponte Vecchio.
1 day in the Chianti area – A taste of the good life
You’ll need a car to travel around the Chianti region. Stretching from Florence to Siena it boasts some of the best views and wine tasting experiences in Tuscany. The famous Chianti wine is produced in this area.
Book wine tasting in advance in one of many splendid settings, from castles to Medieval hamlets, and get a taste of the good life in Tuscany. Check out our Chianti road trip itinerary for the perfect day around the Chianti area.
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If you have time you can make a side trip to San Gimignano. It’s half way between Florence and Siena and an hour’s drive from Radda in Chianti. With its 14 Medieval towers and picturesque cobbled squares, San Gimignano is probably the most scenic hill top town in Tuscany. It gets pretty busy in high season, but it’s a sight that’s hard to forget. You might even decide to stay the night.
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1 day in Siena – A Medieval gem
To visit Siena is to travel back in time. It’s a perfectly preserved Medieval town, and a shrine to Gothic architecture, with a perfectly preserved historical centre that’s been declared a UNESCO heritage site. Marvel at the beauty of Piazza del Campo and pay a visit to the awe-insipiring Cathedral.
=> Book a Walking Tour of Siena with a professional guide and skip the lines at Siena’s Cathedral!
If you’re thinking of using Siena as a base from which to travel, have a look at our suggestions of the best towns in Tuscany to stay in.
1 day in Val d’Orcia – Experience picture-perfect Tuscany
Head south of Siena to this land of magical views and romantic small towns. This is Tuscan countryside at its best. In fact just driving around its winding country roads could be one the highlights of your trip. Visit one of the atmospheric towns like Pienza, known as the “ideal city”, then head to Montepulciano or Montalcino to try some of the area’s famous wines.
=> Check out about some great scenic drives in Tuscany, including a beautiful driving itinerary in the Val d’Orcia. And a 4 day itinerary through the enchanting Maremma in southern Tuscany.
Seeing Tuscany in a week is a challenge. But it you can don’t mind rushing, this will give you a taste of the diversity, the main points of interest, and its beauty.
For more suggestions for your trip, check out our 20 favourite things to do in Tuscany. Buon viaggio!
⇒ See our top tips for How to plan a road trip to Tuscany.
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